My lovely tri colour Sussex cockerel Clyde is in a bad way. Came home this afternoon to find him huddled out in the rain in the garden with awful injuries. He is now in a box next to the Esse trying to warm up. He ate a bit of grated cheese but I don't think he will make it. He was a strong and healthy bird and there has been no sign of trouble between him and the Orpington cockerels. I suspect it was another buzzard attack as the others were very agitated and hidden under the bushes. Bonnie seems ok and went into the barn with the others, she usually settles down with Clyde.

So sorry to hear that, Aly. It must always be a worry at the back of your mind when your livestock is free range. Have to say it does make me wary about having hens.

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Sat 10-Nov-1210:18 pm

danast

Argyll, Scotland

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So sorry to hear that news Aly. Thinking of you tonight and sending you hugs. It is so upsetting when something like that happens.

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Sat 10-Nov-1210:34 pm

SumpRat

Reading

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Oh dear, lets hope he makes it through the night.

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Sun 11-Nov-121:32 am

Terrier

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Oh Aly, so sorry to hear, never experienced anything likes buzzard attack, would it be better to humanly despatch him...Bearing in mind my recent dilemma with Judith's hen the other week, you know how rubbish I am at doing it. Poor guy.

Sun 11-Nov-126:42 am

Hattie

Bucks/Oxon Border

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Oh Aly I feel for you, but I still would not rule out one of your other cockerels attacking him. I had that problem earlier this year. I expect you are right though, as they would be covered in blood too. If he makes it through the night it will be a good sign. Good luck to him (& you).

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Sun 11-Nov-127:57 am

Aly

Normandy France

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There was no sign of blood on any of the others which is why I think it more likely to be a buzzard. He is still with his morning and is standing up this morning. He also had a little chat with me. I will keep him warm and try to temp him to eat.

I am so glad he survived the night.....if he is standing & chatting to you it's a very good sign that he has the will to live. More important than food is to get him to drink water or better still some sloppy live yogurt, he must not get dehydrated. Are his wounds fairly clean, if not try to clean him up a bit & apply something like aloe gel (I am a huge fan of this for animal wounds but the areas must be clean otherwise you seal in the dirt). Sorry I have just remembered you were a nurse so you know all about that.

Hope he continues to improve.

"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."

from Les Miserables

Sun 11-Nov-1211:42 am

Terrier

York

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That's good news then Aly, hope he makes it through.

Sun 11-Nov-1212:50 pm

Aly

Normandy France

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Wounds clean, he is eating grated cheese at the moment and has drunk some water.